4 Reasons You Have To Visit An Oral Surgeon For Your Dental Problems

Going to the dentist is not an easy task for some people. It could stem from a childhood fear, which carried on into adulthood. One way to overcome this, however, is to visit an oral surgeon.

It’s critical to make regular visits to the dentist, and there are many advantages to it. But, if you haven't been doing so already, now is the perfect time to prioritize your oral health before it’s too late. This where an oral surgeon might be of help.

Difference Between A Dentist And An Oral Surgeon

A general dentist deals with a much broader range of teeth issues, as well as other mouth-related problems, such as gum disease. Generally, they work in an office or clinic and take on many patients during the day. An oral surgeon, on the other hand, does the same thing, but has attended more years of school and has completed a residency. They received specialty training in more specific dental problems, focusing strictly on performing surgical procedures. They work more in hospital-based environments and typically take on less patients in a day (due to longer, more complex procedures).

Reasons Why You Have To Visit An Oral Surgeon

Oral surgeons deal with a lot more complex procedures that not just concern pain or discomfort around your teeth, but also around your whole head. As minor as oral problems may sound, they can be a great hassle in everyday life, which is why an oral surgeon is necessary to effectively solve your problem. Best thing to do is to research the most accessible oral surgeons near you, and, of course, to set up an appointment right away.

Here are some of the benefits of visiting an oral surgeon:

1. An Oral Surgeon Can Solve More Complex Dental Issues

As mentioned above, oral surgeons spent more years training on specific surgical procedures. Usually, if you’re suffering from a complex issue, your general dentist will send you to an oral surgeon. Some of the things they can work on are dental implants, broken bones in the jaw or face, removal of cysts and tumors, jaw realignment, cosmetic surgeries, and teeth extractions (including wisdom tooth). Excluding the last one, you can see that these are more uncommon cases and not just involve the teeth. Oral surgeons also handle cancers of the head and neck, sinuses, throat, larynx, salivary glands, and lips.

2. Better Results

A general dentist handles a variety of broader issues and may choose not to deal with complicated operations. Meanwhile, an oral surgeon routinely performs them, hence, has more practice and proficiency in that regard. This can lead to better results for you. They simply have more refined motor skills and have trained to stand longer in the procedure.

Studies have supported this. In a recent survey published by the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), it was found that the success rates of dental implant survival with oral surgeons are higher than those performed by general dentists.

3. No Extra Clinic Visits And Fees

It’s not uncommon for your go-to dentist to refer you to an oral surgeon for a closer examination of your issue, especially if it turns out to be a serious one. This only means having to visit two different places and spending more of your precious time, not to mention the fees that may pile up from two separate dentist visits. Hence, going straight to an oral surgeon may be a more cost-effective route to take. Setting up a patient record and building a professional relationship with an oral surgeon and their staff can lead to faster response time and results, with no extra dental fees involved.

4. More Focus On Patient Aftercare

The aftercare of a patient in any medical procedure is just as important as the treatment itself. General dentists handle many patients a day. This is not to say that they won’t check on you after the procedure, but oral surgeons have the in-depth surgical training that prepares them for any complications that may come to light following the operation. There is simply more focus on  your recovery, which also means more follow-up check-ups than what you would get from a general dentist.

Conclusion

Deciding to regularly go to an oral surgeon is a tough decision. After all, it’s not common to go straight to them without visiting your regular dentist first. So, just remember that when you do visit an oral surgeon, you will be dealing with a professional who has extensive experience in resolving complex dental issues, which also means better results and  more patient aftercare attention.